It’s Christmas time. Lots of things to do, parties to attend,
gifts to wrap. Please remember to give that special pet in your
life the best gift of all on Christmas Day
… a big hug.
It’s Christmas time. Lots of things to do, parties to attend, gifts to wrap. Please remember to give that special pet in your life the best gift of all on Christmas Day … a big hug.
Pets don’t really care about gift-wrapped goodies. People do. Yet like so many other people, we give all the Keesling pets a goodie for Christmas. Kind of silly, I think, because all they really want is our love and acceptance. That, to them, is the greatest gift of all.
So make every day, not just the holidays, special for your dog or cat. Give ’em a hug. You’ll get lots of love in return.
And during this holiday season, we have time to reflect and remember. It’s been an eventful year, and Peg and I are grateful for the gift of good health and good friends. Together with our children, John, Mary and Sarah, and with our pets Rumpy, Wayne, Janie, Joey, Holly, and our other critters, we wish all of you a wonderful Holiday Season. And we hope that 2004 brings you all the happiness you can find. See you next year!
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Q: My 17-year-old cat, Frisbee, has been diagnosed with renal failure. She is on a special diet and receives weekly fluid treatment. Recently, Frisbee started eating the kitty litter in her box. She usually vomits afterwards. What causes her to want to eat this?
A: It sounds as though Frisbee is exhibiting a condition called Pica, defined as an abnormal craving for substances other than normal food. I have seen some animals seek out and ingest other odd things such as chalk, bits of concrete, asphalt, paper … the list is endless.
Pica is often a symptom of serious or advanced disease and unfortunately, might indicate that Frisbee’s condition has taken a turn for the worse. Pica is not unique to animals with renal or kidney disease. It also occurs in pets with cancer and other serious diseases. I recommend that you take Frisbee in for a re-evaluation right away. Hopefully, some adjustments to her treatment regime can be made and she will start to feel better.
Q: How can I stop my dog, Mort, from digging in the yard? It seems as though this is his favorite activity and he is destroying our garden. Help!
A: Digging is the favorite pastime of many dogs who have nothing else to do. Digging can be a product of boredom, and is more common with certain breeds that have high a energy level and require more attention than others. The damage a dog can do in a short period of time is unbelieveable.
One approach to correcting Mort’s digging habit is to find ways to keep him occupied. Lots of toys and things to do will help. If you work all day and no one is home for an extended period, have a friend or neighbor come take him for a walk during the day. Just keeping him busy can make a big difference.
But for the persistent digger, there are several other tricks. If he likes to dig in one particular spot, try burying some fully inflated balloons just below the surface of the ground. When these pop loudly and send dirt flying in his face, he may think twice about his earthen hobby. You could also bury chicken wire just below the ground surface. As he digs into this, he should be discouraged by the wire. But be very careful here! I have seen several dogs who injured their feet digging into the wire. It seems they tried to dig right through it!
Ultimately, you may have to move Mort to an area where he can’t dig. If possible, build a kennel for him (with plenty of room to move around). Or, consider taking him to a kennel for the day when you work. Doggie Day-Care is becoming more and more popular with working pet owners. It allows their pooch have fun and get plenty of exercise while they are out of the house at work. The cost is nominal when compared to the expense of re-doing your landscaping.
